The Brand Called You

In this episode of The Brand Called You, host Frits Bussemaker sits down with Mark Schuurman, Co-Founder of NGO 3x3 Unites and co-founder of Guts, to dive into the world of 3x3 basketball and its power to unite communities and empower youth. Marc shares his inspiring journey from grassroots development in Dutch basketball to building a sustainable impact through 3x3 Unites. Discover how basketball is changing lives, creating jobs, and offering new opportunities for young people across the Netherlands.Learn about the ethos and growth of 3x3 basketball, the bumps along the road, and the story behind the Netherlands' Olympic gold in Paris! Marc also discusses the organization's focus on life skills development and how success is measured in terms of sustainable impact and community growth.

Join us for an insightful episode of The Brand Called You, where Ashutosh Garg hosts Pawan Kumar Marella, former Vice President of Marketing at Unilever, author of Dear Rookie, Don’t Panic, and founder of Learnity Labs. Pawan takes us through his remarkable journey from engineering to global marketing leadership, sharing hard-earned lessons in brand building, leadership, and personal growth across emerging and frontier markets.Learn how patience, frugal innovation, and deep respect for consumer realities shape successful branding strategies. Pawan also explores the power of ruthless clarity in leadership, essential capabilities for modern marketers, the role of AI, and practical guidance for young professionals starting their careers. Additionally, he offers valuable advice on building a strong reputation, cultivating a network, and balancing technical and soft skills for lasting success.Don’t miss these career-transforming insights from one of the most influential voices in global marketing and leadership!

Dr. Stephen Shaya shares his remarkable journey in global healthcare, servant leadership, and creating meaningful impact across multiple sectors. In this conversation, he reflects on the evolution of J&B Medical, his ventures in biotechnology, sports media, and technology, and the guiding philosophy of radical abundance and purposeful action.The discussion is enriched with stories of rare recognitions, family influence, and pressing global challenges—offering inspiration to anyone striving to make a meaningful difference.Origins as a family-owned businessGrowth into 19 business enterprisesImpact: Reaching over 260 million Americans through insurance contracts and 200 million through pharmacy servicesGlobal operations across 28 countries and 49 U.S. statesTelemedicine, mental health screenings, and connections between animal and human healthSuicide prevention impact through early mental health screening programsAkkad Holdings: Mission-driven investments in biotech, sports media, and technology

Join host Stephen Ibaraki in this deeply insightful episode of TBCY as he welcomes back Justin Breen, Co-Founder of Corvia.AI and author of the upcoming book Epic Journey. In this dynamic conversation, Justin shares the wisdom and patterns he has gained over two years of personal growth, spiritual awakening, and creative transformation since their last interview.Explore how Justin views the world through the lens of healing, manifesting, and heart-driven leadership. They discuss the concept of being a “manifester,” the importance of addressing trauma, and a unique formula for transcending fear and materialism to achieve true healing and higher purpose.Packed with profound insights on consciousness, overcoming life’s challenges, and combining logic with heart-centered decision-making, this episode offers valuable guidance for entrepreneurs, creative leaders, and anyone on their own epic journey. Prepare to expand your perspective and be inspired to transform your life.

Join us for a captivating conversation with Dr. Sabrina Hsueh, AI Enablement and External Innovation Lead at Pfizer, as she shares her journey from being one of the first girls in a gifted program in Taiwan to pioneering AI advancements in healthcare and life sciences at industry leaders like IBM and Pfizer. Hosted by Stephen Ibaraki, this episode dives deep into Dr. Hsueh’s milestones, from her educational path across Taiwan, UC Berkeley, and the University of Edinburgh, to her hands-on innovation and leadership through startups and global organizations such as ACM.You’ll learn how Dr. Hsueh has shaped the intersection of AI, machine learning, and healthcare, and gain her perspective on responsible AI governance, productization, and adoption. Discover exclusive insights on the future of agentic AI, the role of women in tech, and the critical importance of public-private partnerships in shaping AI’s impact on society.

Join us for an insightful conversation with Mary Inman, Partner at Whistleblower Partners LLP and Board Member of the nonprofit PSST.org. With over 30 years of experience, Mary shares her journey supporting whistleblowers worldwide and explains the crucial role they play in society as “canaries in the coal mine.”In this episode of The Brand Called You, hosted by Frits Bussemaker, you’ll discover:The legal and cultural definitions of whistleblowers and the stigma they face.How whistleblowers are matched with government agencies, and how reward programs work.Stories from high-profile cases like Theranos and Uber.The importance of psychosocial support and building supportive whistleblower communities.Mary’s personal motivation, challenges, and advice for aspiring whistleblower lawyers.

How can women break free from family guilt, embrace their inner strength, and lead authentically in both the workplace and at home?In this insightful episode of The Brand Called You, host Ashutosh Garg sits down with Mita Chaudhury, a transformation coach and social entrepreneur, to explore the deep connections between personal values and professional success.Drawing from her extensive experience with the Taj Group and Tupperware, as well as her work empowering thousands of women, Mita Chaudhury discusses the importance of self-belief, financial independence, emotional intelligence, and leading with empathy.If you’re a woman seeking inspiration to balance home and career—or an ally looking to foster inclusive leadership—this conversation is filled with actionable wisdom and honest insights.Discover why authentic leadership begins as an “inner game,” how personal pain can evolve into purpose, and what it takes to create a meaningful legacy for the next generation.

The Brand Called You, featuring Benoy Tamang, President & CEO of Blueriver Direct, hosted by Ashutosh Garg, explores the realities of leadership, coaching, and founder challenges.Benoy shares:Pivotal moments and failures that shaped his leadership philosophyStories from coaching CEOs and foundersHow to distinguish real leadership from authority (and why first-time founders often get it wrong)Early signs of misaligned leadership teams—even when results look positivePractical advice for leaders navigating board pressures and uncertaintyWhy believing in yourself is the ultimate leadership lesson

In this episode, host Stephen Ibaraki interviews Florian Kemmerich, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Human Planet.Florian shares his inspiring journey at the intersection of impact investing, humanitarian work, and AI-driven innovation.He discusses the challenges and opportunities involved in mobilizing capital for purpose-driven initiatives, shares case studies about refugee impact bonds, and explains how Human Planet bridges the gap between the for-profit and nonprofit sectors.Discover Florian’s vision for using business, leadership, and capital as forces for good, along with insights from his book and practical advice for NGOs, corporations, and investors.Whether you are passionate about social impact, sustainable finance, AI’s disruptive potential, or aligning purpose with your profession, this thoughtful conversation offers valuable insights and strategies.

Join us for an enthralling episode of The Brand Called You, where host Ashutosh Garg explores the imaginative world of acclaimed Pennsylvania-based author Richard Spegal. Hear how his military service shaped both his worldview and his writing, why he believes adult fantasy readers are often overlooked, and the profound themes woven into his popular trilogies, Eternal Nights and Wolves and Ravens. From the challenges of immortality to forbidden love and moral ambiguity, this conversation dives deep into what lies beneath the surface of supernatural fiction—and the thought-provoking questions it raises about humanity. If you enjoy compelling storytelling with strong, relatable characters, this episode is not to be missed!